Sorry, friends — an unexpected wrassle with an extremely nasty case of strep throat means that the person in charge of Humboldt History was unable to pull it together this week. Do me a favor: If you think it might be strep throat, don’t wait three days to haul yourself down to urgent care. Don’t play with strep.

But we’ve been doing this collab with the very fine people at the Humboldt County Historical Society for nearly two years now, and surely there is a past column you missed? Or maybe there’s a favorite from the archives you’d like to share with others, in the comments down below? Find it, or them all, at this link.

Still want more? As always, remember: The Humboldt Historian, whence these stories come, is a journal of the Humboldt County Historical Society. The Humboldt County Historical Society is a nonprofit organization devoted to archiving, preserving and sharing Humboldt County’s rich history. You can become a member and receive a year’s worth of new issues of the Humboldt Historian at this link.

Back next week, barring a sudden outbreak of the marthambles. 

Harriet Maslin Butler-Berg was born in Beaufort, South Carolina on February 10, 1961. She passed away on January 3, 2025, surrounded by family.

Harriet was a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, partner, sister, aunt, and friend. The embodiment of unconditional love, she loved and accepted everyone right where they were. She would always go out of her way to help someone in need. She rescued the lost and helped love them while their broken hearts mended.

Harriet was a free spirit who loved jewelry, books, dream catchers, nicknacks, and sun catchers. A generous person, you would rarely leave Harriet’s house without a gift. Harriet loved to travel. She particularly loved Colorado, Michigan, South Carolina, and her final resting place of California. She spent the last 28 years of her life with her partner Billy Joe Walters, who also passed on January 3, 2025, along with their dog, of 8 years, Bella Blue.

Harriet and Billy were dedicated to one another for life. Harriet was preceded in death by her grandmother, Mary Joy Meyer; her husband, Robert Michael Berg; her daughters, Meghann Paige Berg and Nicole Taber Berg; and her sisters, Stella Annette Brunson and Georgene McAlhaney.

Survived by her mother, Mary Joy Butler; 5 sisters, and 1 brother. She also leaves behind her son, Charles Christopher Meyer (Amanda); grandchildren Hannah (Issac, Roman, William, and Ensleigh), Morgan (Mabel Jean), Mason, Michael, and Madilynn. Daughter, Marisa Maslin Freeman; grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Stetson), Nathanial (Carter, Ezra, Bryson, and Grayson), and Adriana. Daughter, Kristen Anne Freeman; grandchildren, Tasia (Makai, Antonio, and Airianna), LeighAnne (Bryan) (Carter, Jason, Noah, and Willa), La’Nayjah, Chavez, and Terrell. Harriet had a special bond and relationships with her sister Michaela Murphy, and her children; BreAnne Uselton, Tyler Butler-Smith, Sean Butler-Smith, Tyler Murphy, and Caitlyn Murphy. Harriet truly treasured and cherished her relationships with each of them. Their relationships were built and strengthened over the years of Harriet living in Humboldt County.

Harriet, and her partner Billy, were instrumental in the upbringing of Kristen’s 3 daughters. They were the loving figures in the lives of Tasia, LeighAnne, and La’Nayjah, that the girls needed until their mom, Kristen, found her way to sobriety. Kristen will never forget the unwavering love, support, and sacrifices that Harriet and Billy provided.

A particularly happy time in Harriet’s life was her time selling blueberries in the Southern California Farmer’s Markets. She would take the girls to the markets with her. They would help sell the blueberries, as well as their own arts and crafts, that they made in their free time. As a past business owner, and natural salesperson, Harriet enjoyed meeting everyday folks, as well as celebrities like Pink and Oprah Winfrey.

Harriet had planned to have some medical procedures completed and intended to return to South Carolina to reunite with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and mother. She really missed her relationships with them and would try and keep up with everyone on Facebook. She longed and desired to reconnect and rebuild the relationships that were affected by them relocating to California. It was the dream Harriet was working on making come true.

A Celebration Of Life will be held for family and close friends in March of 2025. The location and time are still to be determined. The family would like to say a special thank you for the overwhelming outpour of love and support from the community.

On January 3, 2025, Billy left this world to join his father, Marlon Walters; his mother, Carolyn Walters; nephew, Keith Walters; great-niece, Shakoda Jackson; and the love of his life, Harriet Butler-Berg, who also passed away on January 3, 2025, in Heaven. Billy was a wonderful son, brother, father, uncle, husband, and Papa. He was dedicated to the ones he loved.

Billy was born on July 23, 1964, to Marlon and Carolyn Walters. Billy leaves behind four brothers: James Walters, Dale (Janet) Walters, Jeremiah Walters, and Joshua Walters; and his sisters: Shirley Walters and Rachel Cardoso. He is also survived by his two sons, Christopher Walters and Jacob Walters; four nieces, Deborah Walters, Sarah Anderson, Jennifer Bainbridge, and Cynthia Trager; three great-nephews, Alex Walters, Sebastian Reiter, and Kayden Anderson; and two great-nieces, Roxy and Kaileigh Bainbridge.

Billy met Harriet, the love of his life, 29 years ago, and they were inseparable ever since. Through those 29 years, their love never faltered and only grew stronger. From the beginning of their relationship, he accepted Harriet’s children and grandchildren as his own. He leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren on Harriet’s side. He was a supportive partner to Harriet in the upbringing of Kristen’s three daughters: Tasia, LeighAnne, and La’Nayjah. Kristen relocated to California 10 years ago to be with the girls, and Billy and Harriet settled into the role of being grandparents to them. They were still the heart of the family, and Kristen will never forget the love and sacrifices made by them in her absence.

Billy was multi-talented and worked in many different fields of construction. He was a journeyman in the Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry for decades. He also ventured into plumbing, vinyl siding, and electrical work. Later in life, he assisted Harriet and the girls at the Southern California Farmers’ Markets selling blueberries. He enjoyed taking the girls to work with him from time to time and letting them be his helpers.

Billy absolutely loved his dog, Bella Blue. He enjoyed spending time at the beaches and rivers. You could often find Billy and Bella Blue together at the water, just hanging out. He loved country music and was fascinated with the American Bald Eagle. He had collected some amazing art pieces throughout the years. He loved eating sweets and was big on his banana pudding. Often, you would catch him with candy or a big piece of cake. He was a hardworking and dedicated man who loved life and loved his family.

Billy had upcoming medical procedures scheduled for 2025. After the process of healing and recovery, his intention was to travel with Harriet back to South Carolina to reunite with family. He loved all his grands and great-grands. Even in his absence, his desire was to reconnect and rekindle relationships with each of them. A Celebration of Life is being held in March 2025 for family and close friends. The location and time are still to be determined. The family would like to say a special thank you for the overwhelming outpouring of love and support from the community.

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Timothy Michael Showen was born November 4, 1955 and passed on January 12, 2025. Born in Las Vegas, Nevada to Donald and Patricia Showen, after his parents divorced he and his sister, Diane, moved to Los Angeles with their mother. He attended schools in Brentwood where he developed many lifelong friends.

He left L.A. in ‘73 where he stumbled onto the “McDougall & Son’s” orchard out of Orondo, Washington. He stayed there as year round help from ‘73 to ‘76. In ‘75 he met Tina Harmon, as she was passing through as seasonal help. They ended up together from ‘75 to ’87. They eventually left the orchard, and moved to Rock Island, Washington, where they rented a farm house on 40 acres, overlooking the Columbia River just south of Wenatchee. They spent three happy years working the orchards and picking sheds.

One of Tim’s oldest friends was going to school at Humboldt State and encouraged the young couple to move south to Northern California. They first moved to China Creek, and from there to Blue Slide, and eventually bought property close to Honeydew. Where they built their home and farmed the land. In 1980 they introduced their daughter, Timber, into the world, naming her after themselves.

Unfortunately, the struggles of living off the grid caught up with them, and the couple went their separate ways. Tim remarried in November of 2005 to Hiedi Durtsche and the two remained together until his passing. He is preceded in death by his sister Diane, and his parents. He is survived by his wife Hiedi, his daughter Timber, stepson Devin, his one cousin Michelle Crosby, his four granddaughters, three grandsons, one great grandson, and one great granddaughter.

He once served on the Petrolia School Board, was an active member of the Mattole Salmon Restoration and was active in founding the Mateel Community Center in Redway. He also played a role in founding the Honeydew Volunteer Fire Department, Honeydew Elementary School, and the Mattole Triple Junction High School.

He is greatly missed by his family and friends. A celebration of life is to be determined.

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Maya Conrad was following her search and rescue dog, Rowdy, across an expanse of rubble, searching for anyone who might be hidden among the wood pallets, slabs of broken concrete and exposed rebar. Rowdy, a four-year-old border collie, was all laser focus and quick movements, his tail wagging and tongue lolling as he scampered across the disaster zone. 

Following his nose, he hopped through an access panel in the roof of an overturned bus. As Conrad followed him, stooping to squeeze through the hole and into the darkness, she couldn’t help but laugh, thinking to herself, “I really didn’t picture myself doing this for a good time, you know. Ever. And here we are.”

Of course, she and Rowdy weren’t really doing this for a good time — or not only for the good time. It was a training run in preparation for a rigorous and highly complex test that Rowdy and Conrad would pass in the coming days, the first team ever to do so, earning them the only “Type 4 Disaster Mission-Ready” certification ever issued by the California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA). 

As the organization explained in a congratulatory Facebook post last week, “This rigorous certification demonstrates their ability to support critical search operations following disasters like earthquakes and fires, working alongside local and state response teams to locate survivors.”

Conrad, a local real estate agent whose canine search and rescue work is entirely volunteer, said scouring urban disaster scenes with rubble piles, vehicles and simulated collapsed freeways is not Rowdy’s primary specialty. He’s a certified live-find wilderness area dog, trained to locate people (or human remains) in vast rural landscapes like we have here in Humboldt County.  

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But about a year and a half ago, she and Rowdy were invited to attend a training put on by the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation in Ventura County, where they’ve built a “disaster city” that simulates an urban environment post-massive earthquake, complete with tilted and collapsed buildings.

“And I noticed that, relative to some of the other dogs in our training group, he just thrived searching in that kind of environment,” Conrad said. 

Rowdy came to Conrad via a breeder in Grants Pass who said that he’s the first in his a 40-year lineage to do such work. 

“I told her that I was interested in doing search and rescue, but I am also a big believer in letting the dog tell you what they what they like and then following suit,” Conrad said.

Last year, she and Rowdy attended a training in the Bay Area hosted by the nonprofit HD Search Dog Fund, whose founder, Tim Houweling is a fellow member of CARDA and a big believer in cross-training dogs so they’re capable of responding to different types of disasters. 

“When we’ve had events like the [2018] Paradise fire, there has been such a shortage of canine dogs who are appropriately trained to respond to such a disaster,” Conrad said. “And as we’re seeing with the L.A. conflagrations, there’s going to be more and more of a need for dogs who can do this kind of work.”

Houweling, fire captain and canine search specialist with the Mountain View Fire Department, said he personally designed CARDA’s Type 4 disaster certification test in 2013. He based it on a test from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that’s considered the national standard for search and rescue dogs, though his own test is designed to be attainable by wilderness dogs. 

It includes multiple components, including a “robust agility requirement,” an “adjustment and control” portion (ensuring that the dog responds to its trainer’s instructions) and, of course, a search component that requires the dog to locate two people hidden in the rubble. All of these components must be satisfied within a limited time period.

Houweling designed the test with the thought that he and his own search and rescue dogs would be the first to complete the test, but after more than a dozen years, nobody had done so. 

“We haven’t had any teams that went out and achieved certification, so Maya and Rowdy were the first ones to do it,” he said. He noted that other types of certification, like those for wilderness search and rescue, allow dogs to pass each component separately, often on days that are weeks or months apart. 

“In this test, it’s all in one day, so it’s a pretty big success for Maya to do that,” Houweling said. “She should be pretty proud of herself.”

Maya and Rowdy solve a complicated problem in a simulated disaster-scene course two days before taking their Type 4 certification test.

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Before getting involved in canine search and rescue training, Conrad trained her dogs — mostly Belgian Malinois — in competitive sports activities such as dock diving for max distance and the Mondioring World Championships (a multi-discipline test of a dog’s obedience, agility and protection skills). 

“And that’s really led me on a journey that I’m really passionate about, of canine cognition, canine learning theory and how we develop a dog to do amazing things and really enjoy it,” Conrad said.  (She started training Rowdy when he was just seven and a half weeks old.) “And I think the inter-species relationship between humans and dogs is endlessly fascinating. When you get a true working dog, it’s magic to see, and if you know how to focus that energy, it’s really incredible to see what they can do.”

Conrad’s mentor in search and rescue training has been Jan Friedrichsen, commander of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office’s volunteer Search and Rescue Team, as well as its K9 lead. She has more than two decades of experience as a K9 search and rescue handler. Conrad and Rowdy are part of the team, too, along with Conrad’s other dog, a Malinois named Shadow. Back in September, the team spent more than three days helping numerous agencies search for a missing Eureka woman, who was eventually found safe.

Friedrichsen said that while Conrad and Rowdy could get called to an emergency anywhere in the state, the local community is lucky to have them nearby.

Conrad and Rowdy. | Photo by Comm-312 Photography.

“If there were a disaster here in Humboldt County, we are not gonna get help for days, so to have some dogs with the exposure, to have Maya and Rowdy’s experience, they’re gonna be the first ones out,” Friedrichsen said. “We’ve got the only dog in the state that’s trained [for such emergencies] and isn’t relying on an outside agency [like FEMA].”

Conrad said Rowdy wasn’t the only one who required training. She had some studying of her own to do, learning about structural collapse, hazardous materials and more. She had to learn how to learn how to decontaminate both her dog and herself. 

Asked how she feels about the possibility of responding to a grisly disaster, she said her outlook has changed over the years. The vast majority of wilderness search and rescue involves looking for human remains, but when she told people about her efforts they would envision something much different, like what Rowdy can do now. They’d ask Conrad if she and her dogs would show up to collapsed buildings and the like.

“And my response would always be, ‘Oh, heck no, we’re not doing disasters. I don’t want to do anything like, you know, the World Trade Center [and] put my dog in harm’s way, right?’ But then when I saw how he thrived I thought, well, maybe I should pursue this.”

Rowdy will work for a reward, like a toy, she said, but he also gets fulfillment from the work itself. And if that means they get called on a mission that involves the risk of injury, exposure to hazardous materials and proximity to extreme suffering, so be it.

“My dog is a working dog who finds extreme joy and thrives on this work, and I’ve made a commitment to be [of] service. … Knowing the safety protocols helps me stay safe, and it also gives me the training and the ability to help potentially save lives. I guess it gives me the courage to put my dog and me in harm’s way.”

Rowdy learning to climb a ladder.

Kurt Marvin Osborn, born in Washington D.C. on July 22, 1944 to Dorothy and Marvin Osborn, died at his Trinidad home on Dec. 19, 2024. He was surrounded by family when he peacefully passed at 12:15 a.m. He is survived by his wife Alane Osborn, his children Tawne Osborn, Joshua Wiener and his wife Gina Wiener, his grandson Maxwell Wiener, two siblings Lynne Geweke and Carl Osborn, and two nephews Andrew Geweke and Reid Osborn. He was preceded in death by his nephew Alan Geweke, and his parents Marvin and Dorothy Osborn.

Kurt grew up with his brother and sister in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When he was young, Kurt adored books, baseball, and music. Those loves persisted throughout his entire life. Kurt earned his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Michigan. Pursuing a career in medicine, Kurt earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Kurt was drafted into the Navy during the Vietnam War and served as a doctor until the war ended. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Kurt completed his internship and residency in neurology.

In 1970 Kurt moved to Eureka and took one of the founding positions at the Humboldt Neurology Medical Group. Kurt served as a neurologist in Humboldt County for nearly 50 years. In 1989 Kurt met his wife, Alane. She moved to Arcata with her two children, Tawne and Joshua, after she accepted a position on the faculty of Humboldt State University. Kurt and Alane married in 1990 and remained so until his death.

During his 35-year marriage to Alane, Kurt was a loving husband and father. He raised Tawne and Joshua as his own. Marrying into a single parent family with children is challenging. Kurt’s goofy charm and grace made it seem effortless. He was a great dad. Kurt was telling dad jokes before he was a dad and before dad jokes were labeled as such. He loved trivia, shaggy-dog stories, and cringey puns.

In his later years Kurt worked part-time as a neurologist and spent his time at his Trinidad home. Kurt worked tirelessly to care for his wife Alane as the two dealt with aging. They enjoyed reading together, Kurt in his chair and Alane curled up on the couch. There he would read to her for hours until one or both fell asleep.

The Osborn family was grateful to the staff of Timber Ridge in McKinleyville and Hospice of Humboldt for their kindness and dedication during the care they provided Kurt at the end of his life. Kurt and Alane were so grateful for the friends and colleagues they made over the years at Humboldt State University and Humboldt Neurology. Kurt loved living and working in Humboldt County.

PREVIOUSLY: Fortuna City Council Member Kris Mobley Resigns as FBI Investigates Embezzlement and Theft Allegations, According to City Officials

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Fortuna city officials were aware of the FBI’s investigation into former Councilmember Kris Mobley more than two months before she resigned from the position amid allegations of theft and embezzlement. 

Mobley | Photo: City of Fortuna.

“The FBI contacted the city in mid-November,” Fortuna City Manager Amy Nilsen wrote in an emailed response to the Outpost’s request for more information. “There is no way for the City to clearly answer how or what prompted the FBI’s involvement in this particular investigation. The totality of the FBI’s investigation and details … have not been shared to this point.”

The City of Fortuna issued a press release just before 5 p.m. on Wednesday informing the community of an “ongoing FBI Investigation involving Kris Mobley,” emphasizing that the “alleged conduct under investigation pertains solely to [her] private conduct and does not involve city business.” 

Mobley submitted a letter of resignation to city officials just a few hours before the press release was issued. The emailed resignation reads as follows:

Good afternoon, 

I am submitting my resignation from City Council, effective immediately. I am sure that you are all aware of the rumors going around. Although I have not been charged with anything I am aware of the backlash that the city has been getting. This is my battle to fight not the city’s - I am sorry that you’ve been dragged into the middle of this. It’s been a pleasure working with each of you. I wish nothing but the best for the City and each of you. 

If you need to get ahold of me my new number is [REDACTED].

Sincerely, Kris Mobley

Asked whether Mobley had access to municipal funds during her two years on the city council, Nilsen emphasized that council members “do not have access to or accounts with City bank accounts and are not authorized City check signers.” Moreover, the city has “a series of checks and balances” in place to prevent fraudulent activity. “One of these checks and balances is a government-mandated independent annual audit that reviews city expenditures,” she added.

Mobley is listed as a business manager for Fortuna-based Beacom Construction Co. on her LinkedIn page, though the Outpost could not verify whether she still works for the company. A phone message and email seeking more information from Beacom’s owner, David Morris, had not been returned by publication time. A phone number listed online for Mobley was no longer in service, and she did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent via Facebook Messenger.

Reached for additional comment, FBI spokesperson Cameron Polan confirmed that the FBI has an “ongoing investigation” into the allegations against Mobley but said the bureau is “unable to provide any additional details at this time.”

At next week’s regular meeting, the Fortuna City Council will discuss next steps for filling the vacant council seat. The council could make an immediate appointment, make an appointment through an application solicitation process or hold a special election. Staff will recommend the second option, Nilsen said.

The Fortuna City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3, in council chambers at City Hall – 621 11th Street in Fortuna.